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“Lois, look at these ones! How does she get such clear photos?”
“Are you sure you’re not missing a cousin?”
“Wally and Felix are my only cousins as far as I’m aware. Are we sure you’re not missing a child?”
Lois nods her head along at the thought. Adrien turns his head toward the door before it comes flying open.
“Mrs. Kent, I’m sorry I kept you waiting. There was an accident and I stopped to get these.”
Alya hands her camera over to Lois. Adrien hovers over her shoulder from his seat upon her desk. Both of their eyes light up at the crystal-clear photos of Superman and Superboy.
Adrien and Lois look to each other. They have a silent conversation as Alya watches on, only slightly concerned. Once finished, they turn back to Alya.
“Say, how would you like a special assignment?”
“Special assignment?” Light glimmers in her eyes. “What type of special assignment?”
“The Justice League, specifically Superman, would you like to get pictures of all their members.”
“That sounds simple enough. What’s the catch?”
“I told you she would question it.”
Lois rolls her eyes at Adrien as she hands Alya her camera back. Adrien sports a cheeky smile.
“There is indeed a catch. These members need to be captured without their knowledge. Superman asked for you specifically.”
“Superman?!? He knows my work?!”
“Obviously, your work is featured on his dedicated blog and the paper all the time. It’s the fact that Wonder Wo-”
“No way! Wonder Woman has seen my work?! Does she know about all the pictures I’ve taken of her?”
This time Lois and Adrien’s shared silence is a mixture of concern and astonishment.
“A private client asked me to get them. Don’t worry, I did a background check on the client to make sure they weren’t a creep.”
“Alya, you don’t have to make up a client. We both know you took them for yourself.”
Adrien eats his own words when Alya pulls a slip from her wallet, confirming the transaction. Lois pats him on the back as she returns to the matter at hand.
“If you take on the job, you will have Adrien as your help and you can use any equipment you need. We need pictures of the Bats, and the rest of the Titans.”
“Already done, minus Kid Flash.”
“There’s no way…”
“Why do you think I went to visit Nino and Juleka?”
Adrien looks off to the side while Lois acts as if she is unaware of the two people mentioned. Alya facepalms.
“I know that both of you are involved in the superhero inner circle because Lois is married to Clark, who is Superman, and Adrien is Adrenaline.”
“Pfft… No, I’m not. Where would you get that idea from?”
Adrien’s super speed tapping of his pencil is a dead giveaway. As for Lois, she gives Alya an accepting nod.
Alya takes off her glasses, removes a small panel, and reveals a memory card. She gives it to Lois then gathers her things.
“I’ll be waiting outside for whenever you’re ready, Adrien.” Alya sends him a wink as she exits.
“Do you think she knows about Wally?”
“Honestly, Wally is such a wildcard that I’m not sure she does. You can put together and see that my dad is the Flash. Kid Flash though? No way.”
“Adrien, Kid Flash is a ginger.”
“I don’t see your point.”
“Alya knows you’re Adrenaline and most likely knows that Barry is the Flash, so wouldn’t the logical next thought be that another member of your family is Kid Flash?”
“Touche. However, love tends to make people blind.”
“Is that why you have yet to ask Kon out?” Lois’ sly smile causes Adrien to turn into a tomato.
“I-I think I hear Alya calling. Bye Lois!”
Adrien zips to and out the door as quick as he can. Lois shakes her head as she speaks under her breath.
Once the two meet up, they find the one path of the Daily Planet that ‘conveniently’ does not have any cameras then Adrien transports them straight to his house in Central City.
Alya blinks as she looks around the unfamiliar place. Barry stops mid sip of his drink as Alya finds him in costume minus his cowl.
“Well, this is one way to confirm the Flash’s identity. I wouldn’t be lucky enough for Kid Flash to do the same.”
Adrien slowly waves Wally away, who was just about to walk into the kitchen, with his foot. Wally examines the situation in the room before quickly backing away.
“So, what brings you to Central City? You’re Lois’ assistant, right?”
“Yes, I am. I came here to get a change of scenery.”
Barry places his elbows upon the table as he continues to listen. Adrien backs out of the room, certainly not to find Wally.
“You came here to complete Clark’s picture assignment and only have one of us left to get. If I had to guess, it’s Kid Flash. He is a tricky one.”
“Lois?”
“Lois.”
“Do you want me to hook you up with Kid?”
Alya’s blush gets the smallest smile to crack from Barry. As if on cue, the nephew calls from the staircase.
“Uncle Barry, is Dick here?”
“Not yet. Adrien’s friend is over though. We should take them with us on our outing,” Barry yells back.
He puts his pointer finger up to Alya then proceeds to zip away and change. He winks to Alya when he returns, and she nods understanding the situation.
The cousins make their way into the room. Adrien pushes Wally forward to introduce himself to Alya. They exchange an awkward greeting which gains a narrowed eye stare between Adrien and Barry.
“Hey, Alya. I have an assignment I need to finish up for Lois so I will meet up with you, Wally, Dick, and Dad later. Hopefully that’s okay.”
“Yeah, it’s alright. I think I can manage dealing with this cousin.”
“Do I want to know?”
“Let’s just say that Felix and Alya have creative differences.”
Adrien lets out a heavy breath toward it as he leaves the room. Barry rolls his eyes as he leads the other teens to the door.
The core three make their way outside as a car drives up to the steps. The man in the driver’s seat slides his sunglasses down to send a wink at the crew.
“Hey beautifuls, you need a ride?”
“How’d you know?”
Barry plops himself in the passenger seat, throwing his feet on the dash.
“Are we taking the other two with us or are they walking?”
“Where were you guys planning on going? I don’t want to intrude on any plans.”
“Don’t worry about it! We were just going to the park to visit a special spot. You should come.”
“Are you all sure?”
“Of course, Alya. We would not invite you along if we didn’t want you to experience this with us. Don’t worry about Adrien. He will join us later when he’s ready.”
Barry waves the duo into the car. Alya hesitates for a moment, looking back at the apartment. After a moment, she takes charge and hops in the car. Wally follows behind her.
The ride to the park is quiet minus the random quips between Barry and Dick. Wally and Alya just sit in the back, enjoying each other’s company. Alya keeps her sights out the window, taking in the city.
Dick pulls the car into the parking lot slowly. Barry immediately is out of the car and opens the back door. Alya slides out first then Wally gets a snap to grab his attention to follow her out.
Alya walks a little way out into the grass of the field. She takes in the scenery, resisting the urge to pull out her phone. Some things are better left documented with the lenses of the eyes than a camera.
Dick and Barry make their way into the field as well. Alya notices Wally’s lack of movement. She tilts her head. Without a word, Alya runs back to the car to find him.
“Hey, you want some company? It seems you could use an ear.”
Wally looks up. Alya’s smile causes one of his own to slightly surface, hiding the heavy breath underneath.
“Yeah, I could use the company. I’m not sure you want to lend an ear though.”
“I always want to lend an ear. Tell me a story. I promise to not make a post on it.”
Alya’s laugh gets Wally to break. He nods with his head. The two start their way into the park following where his uncle went.
Alya keeps close to his side as he talks. It gives the true reason why Adrien stayed home. The reason Wally has been quiet. A reason Barry insisted that Alya come with them.
As they get closer to the grave, Alya offers her hand to Wally. He gladly accepts. His grip is rather shaky but strong.
“It’s okay to let it out, Wally.”
That was he needed to hear. A river flows out as the dam breaks. Alya wraps him in a hug, and he releases their handhold to latch onto her.
Just a few trees away, Adrien stands alongside his dad and Dick. The youngest pulls out his phone. All he does is send a simple text before enjoying the time with his family.
‘I guess I did forget a cousin after all.’